Luton Fraudsters To Repay £243,119

The last two defendants in a Bedfordshire police investigation into a crash for cash insurance fraud have been ordered to re-pay £243,119 under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Kamsan 'Kimmy' Mahmood, aged 44, of Lincoln Road, Luton and Istafa Hussain, 36, of Lincoln Road, Luton, appeared at Luton crown court on Tuesday (August 12) and were ordered to pay £192,000 and £51,119 respectively. Both men must pay the money owed within six months.

The men are currently serving jail terms. Mahmood received five years - 4 and a half years for the conspiracy and 6 months for a previously tried indictment of mortgage fraud. Istafa was jailed for and four and a half years having been found guilty of conspiracy to defraud in September 2011.

Speaking after the Proceeds of Crime Hearing this week, Detective Chief Inspector Shane Roberts said: "It is inconceivable that criminals can leave the justice system still in possession of the money and assets they~ve acquired through their offending. No matter where you or your assets are, Bedfordshire Police will actively pursue you until those monies are identified and repaid.

"So far this year half a million pounds has been taken back from criminals in Bedfordshire, of which £95,000 has been returned to Bedfordshire Police. This has been used to sponsor further crime fighting initiatives and to support community based projects that will benefit the public, such as the Bobby Van" he said.